To mark International Project Management Day, today I’m talking to Adrian Durkalec, COO and Head of Project Management at Verestro. Adrian will share with us how the PM team functions, what challenges it faces, what qualities an IT Project Manager should have and what changes await Adrian's team in the near future.
Table of Contents:
Verestro’s Approach to Project Management
Justyna: Hi Adrian! Today we're going to talk about project management. Could you tell us what makes Verestro’s approach to project management unique?
Adrian: There are a lot of companies working in the fintech industry and the competition is always strong. But what’s usually missing in the approach to partners and customers is a personal and flexible style of running things. We’re always trying to be efficient, while staying close to the people we work with. Every project is different and we know it best, but given the cumulative knowledge of Verestro’s employees, we’re able to tackle each and every challenge.
And this is our great advantage. But let’s talk about your responsibilities in our organization: you're a board member, Chief Operating Officer, Head of PM and...? With so many roles, what is the key to success?
When you take a moment to think about these roles, one thing becomes obvious – it’s all about efficient operations – both our company’s internal ones and those of our customers at different phases of the project. In order to be successful, we need to take care of both sides and that’s what I’m trying to do. And I’m not alone in that. 😊 We have currently more than 160 specialists and experts with years of experience in IT, finance, payment cards, HR, law, security, and many more areas. And the key to success? Cooperation, limiting internal red tape, staying flexible and focusing on customer needs.
Sounds good. 😊 And what are the most common challenges you face in managing agile projects, and how do you address them?
It’s good to remember that Verestro works mainly with fintechs, banks and payment schemes. All of them have their own needs and requirements, but we are a product-oriented company. It’s easy to implement a product if it’s an out-of-the-box solution. Challenges arise when there are more changes and customizations than standard parts in a solution. With our customers we always focus on the best time to market and suggest starting with a tailored MVP to gather the needs of final customers. After that – sky is the limit – as long as time and budget allow. If the business case is solid and the volumes can prove it, then we can always work on the products together with our partners and make them stand out from the crowd.
Thank you for explaining Verestro's strategic approach to product development and customer satisfaction. Overcoming challenges wouldn't be possible without a well organized PM team. Can you tell us more about how project management works at Verestro?
I always say that project management in terms of workload should be like 80/20. 80% of the time there is regular work that can be planned and maintained in a standard way. But the remaining 20% is usually like preparing for a rocket launch. It’s demanding. It’s sometimes tiring. But above all, it’s rewarding. First time you help your partner launch a new product to thousands of final customers unlocks this feeling for you. 😊 Usually it’s difficult to get there alone – that’s why we always focus on a high level of cooperation at Verestro. All Project Managers should work as a team – helping each other and using collective experience to achieve synergy. But it’s broader than that – the same goes for cooperating with Product Owners, developers and everyone else involved in the project.
Building a Strong PM Team
This type of work requires specific skills and qualifications. How would you describe the profile of an ideal candidate for the position of IT Project Manager?
This one’s easy. 😊 To be honest – most of our Project Managers started their professional career in IT years ago with Verestro. We can always work on skills and qualifications together, but what you can’t actually teach is the character and personality traits. The ideal PM is someone who can think logically, connect the dots easily and is open and able to learn a lot about the technical side of the project. We do not require technical experience before joining Verestro’s PM team. Just the willingness to get it – which may be harder to assess in an interview, but has worked well for us for years.
Are there any strategies you use to develop and retain top talent within your PM team?
First of all, I try not to stand in the way of anyone's development. It’s even encouraged to seek changes internally in the company. We have so many projects, so many products and so many areas where our PMs can flourish that I always tell the team that they can reach me at any time and we’ll look for another challenge. You worked 2 years in card issuing projects? We’ll change the product and type of customers in the first possible moment. Managing projects for 4 years now? Let’s try the Product Owner’s role if that’s what interests you and your next step. Interested in the Team Leader’s job? If you show potential, then nothing stands in your way.
The Future of Project Management at Verestro
I've recently heard that there will be significant changes within your team. Are there any plans to expand your PM team or introduce new roles? What can we expect?
Yes, that’s right. We’re currently in the process of upgrading our approach to the post-implementation phase of the project. Working with fintechs and especially implementing card issuing with our partners, we’ve noticed that this is an area that requires even closer cooperation once our partners are launched and on production. That’s why we created a Customer Operations Management Team that will ensure the long-term success of our partners.
I’m sure this strategic move will position Verestro as an even more reliable and valuable partner. And what are Verestro's long-term goals and aspirations for project management?
Customer satisfaction and their business success. If our partners can reach all of their ambitious goals, then we’re doing our job right.
Customer satisfaction is undoubtedly crucial. Knowing this, I'd like to wish you successful implementations and rewarding customer relationships. Thanks for your time and valuable insight into project management at Verestro!
Thanks and see you next time!
